Las Palmas returns from Andorra with a tough defeat (5-1)
Resounding defeat in Andorra (5-1). UD Las Palmas returns empty-handed from their penultimate away game in the regular season of the Second Division. The yellows conceded the points to the Principality's team after starting the match with the excitement of the goal scored by Jesé Rodríguez.
But after squandering other opportunities, the home team scored, one of them with the misfortune of an own goal by Mika Mármol. The added bad news was the injury to Ale García, who could not finish the match after spending several minutes on the field.
The novelty in UD's starting eleven was the return of Taisei Miyashiro as a key player in a three-pronged attack alongside Jesé and Estanis Pedrola. The Gran Canaria team's strategy almost bore fruit in the 6th minute, following a quick counterattack by Pedrola with a pass to Jesé, who mishit the ball, possibly due to a bad bounce just before the shot.
Andorra also responded quickly, with a volley from their center-back Diego Alende aiming for a corner of the Canarian goal. But Dinko Horkas appeared to get a glove on it and deny the goal.
Las Palmas had read the spaces well between Andorra's last defensive line and their goalkeeper. As a result of another counterattack, Las Palmas scored, with Jesé converting from the penalty spot. Fuster had charged into the area, where he was brought down, but the play continued, and Owono collided with Jesé, committing the penalty.
With a 0-1 lead, Las Palmas had already achieved the first of their objectives, with more than an hour of tension and uncertainty ahead. In the 28th minute, Las Palmas came close again with a corner kick that Kirian headed to the base of Owono's post.
However, from that moment on, the match took a completely negative turn. The teams went into halftime tied because Le Normand scored for Andorra in a deep play, with a shot already inside the area.
The second half began again with chances for both teams. UD's best opportunity came to Manu Fuster, with a forced shot that went wide.
The worst of the day was yet to come, and it happened in quick succession. The 2-1 goal came unexpectedly when Mika Mármol's attempt to clear the ball ended with it in Horkas's net.
Las Palmas fell emotionally in the final stretch of the match, compounded by the unfortunate injury to Ale García. Andorra extended the scoreline to a rout with goals from Akman, Manu Nieto, and Marc Cardona.
The league will continue in Almería, and the battle for promotion spots remains open despite this Sunday's setback.